Hundreds of people in Beledweyne have started vacating their homes to move to higher ground on the outskirts of the town, as the area River Shabelle continues to swell after heavy rains.
The affected families are reported to have camped at Eljale area, 3 km north east of Beledweyne.
The increasing water levels on the river Shabelle have heightened fear among the locals residing in the town’s four neighbourhoods of severe flooding if more rain falls.
Arabo Elmi Osman, a mother of nine and one of Hawa-tako neighbourhood residents, lives in a hut 20 metres from the river. She spent her night fearing flooding.
“I was awake all last night; it rained for three consecutive hours. Some of my children are physically disabled, so we can’t move,” Arabo told Radio Ergo.
Mohamed Abdi Soyan, 40, a resident in Hawa-tako’s Labdere division, lives in a makeshift house which was affected by previous flooding in the area. He expressed fear that he would now be forced to flee from his home due to the heavy downpours pounding the town.
Local residents have not yet come together to discuss on ways to block the river break in order to prevent the floodwaters from entering their villages.
Radio Ergo’s local reporter says conflict and clan fighting in the region have overshadowed efforts to curb the flooding.
More than 3,100 families were forced to flee their homes in Beledweyne due to floods in September 2012, according to regional officials.
Hawa-tako’s Dagahjabis neighbourhood is currently the worst affected area.
Those how have left their homes have pitched makeshift shelters in Eljale area, a former government base outside the town.
Somalia Water and Land Information Management (SWALIM) said heavy rains were expected in riverine areas where Shabelle and Juba rivers pass, and called upon locals in those areas to remain on high alert.
